HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 56931
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Ordinance No. 5693
Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Chapter 4.54
(“Massage Establishments”) and Chapter 4.56 (Hot Tub/Sauna Establishments)
of Title 4 (Business Licenses and Regulations)
The Council of the City of Palo Alto ORDAINS as follows:
SECTION 1. Findings and Declarations. The City Council finds and declares as follows:
A.Massage establishments are primarily regulated in the Palo Alto Municipal Code at PAMC
Chapter 4.54. The last major update to this chapter was in 2012. Chapter 4.54 is currently
enforced primarily by the Palo Alto Police Department.
B.Massage is also regulated in state law under the Massage Therapy Act, codified in the
Business and Professions Code section 4600 et seq. The State Legislature enacted the Act
in 2008. The Act was substantially amended in 2014 under AB 1147, and has been
amended again in 2025 under AB 1504.
C.Through this ordinance, the City desires to amend Chapter 4.54 in order to respond to the
changes to the Act and codify existing practices. Foremost, this ordinance will result in
the City no longer licensing individual massage technicians; instead, technicians must be
certified by the California Massage Therapy Council (“CAMTC”). The CAMTC is the state-
recognized body in charge of such certification and enacts statewide standards for
training and certification. The CAMTC also approves massage schools in an effort to
uphold training standards and prevent bad actors from opening degree mills. This update
also ensures that local regulations stay current with industry standards and public health
requirements, enhancing safety and professionalism. These updates also help address
new trends, prevent illicit activities, and clarify licensing procedures for businesses.
D.This ordinance also amends Chapter 4.56 (Hot Tub/Sauna Establishments) to remove
existing permitting requirements. These establishments are already regulated by the
County’s Department of Environmental Health.
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SECTION 2. Chapter 4.54 (Massage Establishments) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code
is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
4.54.010 Purpose and intent.
In enacting this chapter, the City Council recognizes that massage therapy is a professional
pursuit which can offer the public valuable health and therapeutic services, but that unless
properly regulated, the practice of massage therapy and the operation of massage businesses
may be associated with unlawful activity and pose a threat to the quality of life in the local
community. It is the purpose and intent of this chapter to provide for the orderly regulation of
offices and establishments providing massage therapy services, and to prevent and discourage
the misuse of massage therapy as a front for human trafficking, prostitution, and related activities
in violation of state law, all in the interests of the public health, safety, and welfare, by providing
certain minimum building, sanitation, and operation standards for such businesses, and by
requiring certain minimum qualifications for the operators and practitioners of such businesses.
It is the further intent of this chapter to streamline local massage therapy permitting procedures,
while still facilitating and advancing the ethical practice of massage therapy, by relying upon the
uniform statewide regulations enacted by the Legislature in 2008 as Business and Professions
Code Sections 4600 et seq., known as the Massage Therapy Act, as subsequently amended, and
by restricting the commercial practice of massage in the city to those persons duly certified to
practice by the California Massage Therapy Council formed pursuant to those statutes.
4.54.020 Definitions.
For the purpose of this chapter, unless the context clearly requires a different meaning, the
words, terms, and phrases set forth in this section shall have the meanings that are given them
in this section:
"Authorized massage professional" means a massage professional who is identified in a permit
issued pursuant to this chapter as a person employed or retained by a massage establishment
to practice massage.
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"California massage therapy council" or "CAMTC" means the massage therapy organization
formed pursuant to Business and Professions Code Section 4600 et seq.
"CAMTC-certified massage professional" means any individual currently certified by the
California Massage Therapy Council as a massage therapist or massage practitioner pursuant
to Business and Professions Code Section 4600 et seq.
"Compensation" means the payment, loan, advance, donation, contribution, deposit, exchange,
or gift of money or anything of value.
"Department" means the Chief of the Palo Alto Police Department or designee charged with
the administration of this chapter.
"Inspector" means the person or persons designated by the city to conduct any inspections
required or permitted under this chapter.
"Massage," "massage therapy," and/or "bodywork" for purposes of this chapter mean the
skillful application of touch, including but not limited to, pressure, stroking, kneading,
compression on or movement of the external surfaces of the body by a practitioner to produce
increased awareness, relaxation, pain relief, injury rehabilitation, or neuromuscular
reeducation.
"Massage establishment" means any business that offers massage therapy, baths or health
treatments including, but not limited to, aromatherapy, vapor, shower, electric tub, sponge, hot
towels, mineral fermentation, sauna, steam or any other type of bath, involving massages or
baths in exchange for compensation. Home-based massage businesses and businesses that
provide mobile massage services are also considered to be massage establishments. For
purposes of this chapter, the term "massage establishment" may be applied to include
establishments which offer or advertise themselves as providing "relaxation" or "tanning"
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where the essential nature of the interaction between the employee and the customer involves
"massage" as defined herein. The terms, names or phrases listed on business license or
fictitious name application forms are not necessarily conclusive as to the nature of the business.
"Owner" or "massage establishment owner" means any of the following persons:
(1)The sole proprietor of a sole proprietorship operating a massage establishment.
(2)Any general partner of a general or limited partnership that owns a massage
establishment.
(3)Any person who has a ten percent or greater ownership interest in a corporation that
owns a massage establishment.
(4)Any person who is a member of a limited liability company that owns a massage
establishment.
(5)All owners of any other type of business association that owns a massage establishment.
"Operator" or "massage establishment operator" means any person who is an owner or
manager of a massage establishment.
"Mobile massage service" means the engaging in or carrying on of massage therapy for
compensation at locations other than a massage establishment at a fixed location.
"Patron" means an individual on the premises of a massage establishment for the purpose of
receiving massage therapy.
"Person" means any individual, firm, association, partnership, corporation, joint venture,
limited liability company, or combination of individuals.
"Reception and waiting area" means an area immediately inside the main entry door of the
massage establishment dedicated to the reception and waiting of patrons or visitors of the
massage establishment and which is not a massage therapy room or otherwise used for the
provision of massage therapy services.
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“School of massage” means any school or institution of learning that is recognized as an
approved school pursuant to Business and Professions Code Division 2, Chapter 10.5 (known as
the Massage Therapy Act), as may be amended.
"Sole proprietorship" means a massage establishment where the owner owns one hundred
percent of the business and has one or no other employees or independent contractors.
"Visitor" means any individual not retained or employed by the massage establishment and not
receiving or waiting to receive massage therapy services, but excluding law enforcement
personnel or governmental officials performing governmental business.
4.54.030 Business registration required.
The requirements of this chapter are in addition to any business registration and business tax
requirements imposed pursuant to PAMC Chapters 4.60 and 2.37, respectively of this code.
4.54.040 Other permits and authorizations required.
The requirements of this chapter are in addition to any permits or authorizations that may be
required under other applicable laws including but not limited to the city's building, fire, zoning,
and health regulations.
4.54.050 Exemptions.
This chapter shall not apply to the following classes of individuals while engaged in the
performance of the duties of their respective professions:
(a)Physicians, surgeons, chiropractors, osteopaths, podiatrists, physical therapists, nurses,
acupuncturists or any other person licensed to practice any healing art under the
provisions of Division 2 (commencing with Section 500) of the Business and Professions
Code when engaging in such practice within the scope of his or her license. This
subsection (a) shall apply only to a person who meets the qualifications above and shall
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not extend to any other person, including by virtue of being a tenant, independent
contractor, employee, or co-worker of the exempted person.
(b)Trainers of any amateur, semi-professional, or professional athlete or athletic team, so
long as such persons do not practice massage therapy as their primary occupation at
any location where they provide such services in the city.
(c)Barbers, estheticians, and cosmetologists who are duly licensed under the laws of the
State of California, while engaging in practices within the scope of their licenses. This
subsection (c) shall apply only to a person who meets the qualifications above and shall
not extend to any other person, including by virtue of being a tenant, independent
contractor, employee, or co-worker of the exempted person.
(d)Individuals administering massages or health treatments involving massage to persons
participating in single occurrence athletic, recreational, or educational events such as
road races, track meets, triathlons, educational events, or conferences, provided that
the event is open to the public or to a significant segment of the public such as
employees of sponsoring or participating corporations, and the massage services are
provided at the site of the event during, immediately preceding, or immediately
following the event.
(e)Individuals administering massages or health treatments involving massage to persons
at a state-licensed “general acute care hospital” or other “health facilities” as defined by
California Health and Safety Code section 1250 when employed or contracted at the
direction of the hospital or health facility.
(f)Somatic practitioners who use no physical touch of any kind at any time in their
practice.
(g)Enrolled students of a school of massage when they are performing massage within the
city as part of a formal supervised internship or training program operated by the
school, without compensation other than school credit, on the premises of a massage
establishment duly authorized to operate pursuant to the terms of this chapter; and
provided that the operator of the massage establishment has first notified the
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Department in writing of the name, residence address, and school of the students and
the dates of the trainings.
4.54.060 CAMTC certification required.
It is unlawful for any individual to practice massage therapy for compensation within the city
unless that individual is a CAMTC-certified massage professional.
4.54.070 Reserved.
4.54.080 Massage establishment permit required—Prohibited conduct.
(a)It is unlawful for any person to operate a massage establishment within the city without
first obtaining a massage establishment permit from the Department.
(b) It is unlawful for a massage establishment operator to employ or retain any person to
practice massage therapy for compensation, or to allow any person to perform massage
therapy for compensation on the premises of a massage establishment, unless that
person is a CAMTC-certified massage professional and unless that person is identified as
an authorized massage professional on the permit issued pursuant to this chapter. For
purposes of this chapter, a massage establishment operator "employs or retains" a
person to practice massage therapy for compensation when:
(1)That person is a directly paid employee of the massage establishment; or
(2)That person's association with a massage establishment is that of an
independent contractor who receives compensation for massage therapy provided to
patrons of the massage establishment; or
(3)That person receives a referral of patrons from the massage establishment and,
at any time before or after the referral, arranges in any way for compensation to flow to
the massage establishment operator.
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(c)It is unlawful for a massage establishment to operate under any name or conduct
business under any designation not specified in the massage establishment permit
issued pursuant to this chapter.
(d)It is unlawful for a massage establishment to continue to operate following the sale or
transfer of any interest in the massage establishment to a person who was not
identified as an owner in the massage establishment permit application.
4.54.090 Permit application.
The owners of the massage establishment shall file an application for a permit on a form provided
by the Department. The application shall be accompanied by the fee established by the city's fee
schedule. The application shall include the following information:
(a)The name, address, and telephone number of the massage establishment.
(b)The name, residence address and telephone number, and business address and
telephone number of each owner of the massage establishment.
(c)The form of business under which the applicant will be conducting the massage
`establishment, i.e., corporation, general or limited partnership, limited liability
company, or other form. If the applicant is a corporation, the name of the corporation
shall be set forth exactly as shown in its articles of incorporation, together with the
names and residence addresses of each of its officers, directors, and each shareholder
holding more than ten percent of the stock of the corporation. If the applicant is a
general or limited partnership, the application shall set forth the name and residence
address of each of the partners, including limited partners. If one or more of the
partners is a corporation, the provisions of this section pertaining to a corporate
applicant shall apply. If the applicant is a limited liability company, the application shall
set forth the name and residence address of each of the members. If one or more of the
members is a partnership, limited liability company, or corporation, the provisions of
this section pertaining to a partnership, limited liability company, or corporate applicant
shall apply, as applicable.
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(d)The name, address, and telephone number of the owner of the real property upon, in,
or from which the certified massage establishment is to be operated. In the event the
applicant is not the legal owner of the property, the application shall be accompanied by
a copy of any written lease between the applicant and the property owner authorizing
use of the premises for a massage establishment, or, alternatively, if there is no written
lease, then a written, notarized acknowledgment from the property owner that the
property owner has been advised that a massage establishment will be operated by the
applicant upon, in, or from the property owner's property.
(e)If the massage establishment will be located on a property in a residential or
commercial condominium or other common interest development, the applicant shall
submit a notarized statement from the homeowner's association or condominium
owner's association acknowledging that the association has been advised that a
massage establishment will be operated by the applicant and that such use of the
property is allowed by the property's covenants, codes, and restrictions. This
requirement is in addition to any applicable zoning code requirements or regulations.
(f) A description of the proposed massage establishment, including the type of treatments
to be administered.
(g)The name of each individual who the massage establishment employs or retains to
perform massage therapy for compensation, whether on or off the massage
establishment premises.
(h)The name of each individual who is regularly employed or retained by the massage
establishment to perform services on the premises other than massage therapy, and the
nature of their services.
(i)For each individual who the massage establishment does or will employ or retain to
perform massage therapy for compensation, whether on or off the massage
establishment premises, a copy of that individual's current certification from the CAMTC
as a certified massage practitioner or certified massage therapist, and a copy of his or
her current CAMTC-issued identification card.
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(j)For each owner of the massage establishment who is a CAMTC-certified massage
professional, a copy of his or her current certification from the CAMTC as a certified
massage practitioner or as a certified massage therapist and a copy of his or her current
CAMTC-issued identification card.
(k)For each owner of the massage establishment who is not a CAMTC-certified massage
professional, the following information:
(1)Whether any owner of the massage establishment has within the five years
immediately preceding the date of application been convicted of any felony in
any state.
(2)Whether any owner of the massage establishment is currently required to
register under the provisions of Section 290 of the California Penal Code.
(3)The business, occupation, and employment history of each owner of the
massage establishment for five years preceding the date of application, and the
inclusive dates of same.
(4)One set of fingerprints, and any required fee for such fingerprinting shall be paid
by the applicant.
(l)Whether any certificate, license or permit has ever been issued to the applicant by any
jurisdiction under the provisions of any ordinance or statute governing massage or
somatic practice, and as to any such certificate, license or permit, the name and address
of the issuing authority, the effective dates of such certificate, license or permit,
whether such certificate, license or permit was ever suspended, revoked, withdrawn, or
denied; and copies of any documentary materials relating to such suspension,
revocation, withdrawal, or denial.
(m)Such other information as may be required by the permit authority to determine
compliance with any other eligibility requirements for issuance of the permit as
specified by federal, state, or local law.
(n)A statement that within the last five years the applicant has not failed to comply with a
final court order or administrative action of an investigatory agency finding a violation of
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applicable federal, state and local wage and hour laws, including, but not limited to, the
Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, the California Labor Code, and any local minimum
wage ordinance or prevailing wage requirements. For purposes of this subsection, a
final court order or administrative action is one as to which there is no pending appeal
and the time for filing an appeal has passed.
4.54.100 Permit issuance.
(a)The Department shall issue a massage establishment permit if the applicant meets the
requirements of this chapter and no grounds for denial exist under Section 4.54.110.
The Department may impose conditions on the permit consistent with this chapter and
applicable law.
(b)Notice to Property Owner. If the applicant is not the record owner of the property where
the massage establishment is located, the Department may send a written notice to the
property owner advising of the issuance of the permit and of the regulations applicable
to the massage establishment. The Department may also provide the property owner
with copies of any other notices or communications with the applicant sent at any time
before or after issuance of the permit.
(c)Term. A massage establishment permit issued pursuant to the terms of this chapter shall
be valid for a term of one year from the date of issuance, and, unless suspended or
revoked, must be renewed by the massage establishment operator annually so long as
the massage establishment is operating within the city.
(d)Insurance. Insurance coverage is a condition of receiving a permit and proof of such
coverage is required. Unless specified otherwise by Department regulation, proof of
liability insurance, or the equivalent, for not less than one hundred thousand dollars
($100,000) per massage therapist licensed, or to be licensed, at the massage
establishment up to a maximum of one million dollars ($1,000,000) shall be required by
the time of permit issuance. This requirement can be satisfied by insurance provided in
the name of a massage therapist or the massage establishment. Coverage must be
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maintained for the entirety of the permit period. The Department may establish
regulations governing insurance requirements that do not conflict with this section.
4.54.110 Permit denial.
The Department may deny an application for a massage establishment permit on any of the
following grounds:
(a)The massage establishment, as proposed by the applicant, would not comply with the
requirements of this chapter.
(b) The massage establishment, as proposed by the applicant, would not comply with any
applicable law, including, but not limited to the city's building, fire, zoning, and health
regulations or regulations under the CAMTC.
(c)The applicant has knowingly made any false, misleading or fraudulent statement of
material fact in the application for a massage establishment permit.
(d) Any owner of the massage establishment, within five years immediately preceding the
date of filing of the application, has been convicted in a court of competent jurisdiction
of any offense that relates directly to the operation of a massage establishment
whether as a massage establishment owner or operator or as a person practicing
massage for compensation, or as an employee of either; or has at any time been
convicted in a court of competent jurisdiction of any felony the commission of which
occurred on the premises of a massage establishment.
(e)Any owner of the massage establishment is currently required to register under the
provisions of Section 290 of the California Penal Code.
(f)Any owner of the massage establishment, within five years of the date of application,
has been convicted in a court of competent jurisdiction of any violation of Sections 266,
266a, 266e, 266f, 266g, 266h, 266i, 266j, 315, 316, 318, 647(b) of the California Penal
Code, or conspiracy or attempt to commit any such offense, or any offense in a
jurisdiction outside of the State of California that is the equivalent of any of the
aforesaid offenses.
(g)Any owner of the massage establishment has been subjected to a permanent injunction
against the conducting or maintaining of a nuisance pursuant to Sections 11225 through
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11235 of the California Penal Code, or any similar provision of law in a jurisdiction
outside the State of California.
(h)Any owner of the massage establishment, within five years of the date of application,
and as established by clear and convincing evidence, has engaged in acts prohibited
under California Penal Code Sections 266, 266a, 266e, 266f, 266g, 266h, 266i, 266j, 315,
316, 318, 647(b).
(i)Any owner of the massage establishment is an individual who has not attained the age
of eighteen years.
(j)Any owner of the massage establishment, within five years immediately preceding the
date of filing of the application, has had a certificate, permit or license to practice
massage for compensation or to own and/or operate a massage establishment revoked
or denied in any jurisdiction, including CAMTC.
(k)Any owner of the massage establishment currently owns or operates a massage
establishment in the city of Palo Alto that is not in good standing due to the existence of
uncorrected violations or unpaid fines or fees.
(l)Within the last five years, the applicant has failed to comply with a final court order or
administrative action of an investigatory agency finding a violation of applicable federal,
state and local wage and hour laws, including, but not limited to, the Federal Fair Labor
Standards Act, the California Labor Code, and any local minimum wage ordinance or
prevailing wage requirements. For purposes of this subsection, a final court order or
administrative action is one as to which there is no pending appeal and the time for
filing an appeal has passed.
4.54.120 Notice of denial—Appeal.
(a)If an application for a massage establishment permit is denied, the Department shall
give written notice to the applicant specifying the grounds for denial.
(b)The applicant may appeal the decision to deny a massage establishment permit by filing
a written notice of appeal with the Department within fifteen days after deposit of the
decision in the mail, specifying in detail the grounds for such appeal.
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(c)The City Clerk shall set a time and place for the hearing on the appeal not less than
thirty days after the date the appeal was received by the Department, and shall give
written notice by mail to the applicant of the date, time, and place for the hearing. The
hearing may be conducted virtually or by phone at the discretion of the City. The
hearing shall be conducted in accordance with Section 4.54.180.
(d) After the hearing on the appeal, the City’s hearing officer may refer the matter back to
the Department for a new investigation and decision, may affirm the decision of the
Department, or may direct the Department to issue the license. The decision of the
hearing officer or designee upon such appeal shall be final and shall be subject to
judicial review according to the provisions and time limits set forth in Code of Civil
Procedure Section 1094.6.
4.54.130 Amendments to permit required upon change of information.
(a)Within 14 days of a change of the information provided in the application for a certified
massage establishment on file with the City, the operator shall file an application to
amend the permit to reflect such change. An application to amend a massage
establishment permit shall be made by submitting an application on a form provided by
the Department. The application shall be accompanied by the fee established by the
city's fee schedule.
(b)The application shall not be approved unless the Department determines that the terms
of the amended permit comply with all requirements of this chapter and all other local,
state, and federal laws, and the massage establishment has no outstanding violations or
unpaid citations or fees. Inspection of the massage establishment may be required prior
to approval of the amendment.
(c)An amendment shall not be used to change the location or owners of a massage
establishment. Instead, a new permit application is required.
(d)A denial of an application to amend a massage establishment permit may be appealed
in the same manner as a denial of an application for a permit under Section 4.54.120.
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4.54.140 Requirements for all massage establishment facilities and operations.
(a)Operational Requirements. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, the
following operational requirements shall be applicable to all massage establishments
located within the city:
(1)No massage establishment shall be kept open for business between the hours of
ten p.m. of one day and eight a.m. of the following day. A massage begun any
time before ten p.m. must nevertheless terminate at ten p.m. This restriction
does not apply to the use of hot tubs at a massage establishment that also has
hot tubs in compliance with PAMC Chapter 4.56, but must follow any other
applicable law or condition of permit as to hours of operation.
(A) After ten years of continuous operation, a massage establishment may be
exempted from the hours restrictions of this section by the Department upon a
written request which details the factual reasons supporting good cause for the
exemption. The Department, in determining what constitutes good cause for this
exemption from the hours restrictions, shall consider and weight the following
factors: (i) ongoing compliance with this Chapter including updated review of
permit requirements; (ii) the impact which the massage establishment has had
on the health, safety, and welfare of the local community, including, but not
limited to, parking and traffic congestion; and (iii) the massage establishment's
compliance or noncompliance with all federal, state, and local laws, including,
but not limited to, this municipal code. If, upon review of those factors, the
Department determines that good cause does exist for the requested
exemption, the Department may then exempt the massage establishment from
the hours restrictions of this section. However, in no event shall any massage
end later than midnight or begin earlier than six a.m. If the Department denies
an application for an exemption under this subsection (A), the massage
establishment may appeal under the process in PAMC section 4.54.120. The
Department may revoke an exemption issued under this subsection (A) for the
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reasons stated in PAMC section 4.54.170 and such revocation is subject to
hearing under PAMC section 4.54.180.
(2)The hours of operation of the massage establishment shall be displayed in a
conspicuous public place in the reception and waiting area and in any front
window clearly visible from outside of the massage establishment.
(3)Patrons and visitors shall be permitted in the massage establishment only during
the hours of operation.
(4)During the hours of operation, patrons shall be permitted in massage therapy
rooms only if at least one duly authorized certified massage professional is
present on the premises of the massage establishment. Patrons shall not be
permitted in any employee break room on the premises.
(5)During the hours of operation, visitors shall not be permitted in massage therapy
rooms except as follows:
(A)The parents or guardian of a patron who is a minor child may be present
in the massage therapy room with that minor child;
(B)The minor child of a patron may be present in the massage therapy room
with the patron when necessary for the supervision of the child; or
(C)The conservator, aid, or other caretaker of a patron who is elderly or
disabled may be present in the massage therapy room with that elderly
or disabled person.
(6)During the hours of operation, except as otherwise provided herein, no visitors
shall be permitted in massage therapy rooms, break rooms, dressing rooms,
showers, or any other room or part of the massage establishment premises
other than the reception and waiting area or toilet rooms.
(7)Except for a patron who is inside a massage therapy room for the purpose of
receiving a massage, no patrons or visitors shall be permitted in or on the
massage establishment premises at any time who are less than fully clothed in
outer garments of nontransparent material, or who display or expose
themselves in underclothing or similar intimate apparel.
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(8)A list of massage services available and the cost of such services shall be posted
in an open and conspicuous public place on the premises. The massage services
shall be described in English and may also be described in such other languages
as may be convenient. No massage establishment operator shall permit, and no
person employed or retained by the massage establishment shall offer to
perform any massage services or request or demand fees other than those
posted.
(9)The massage establishment shall keep on the premises a complete and current
roster of all owners, operators, and managing employees of the massage
establishment and all massage professionals and other persons employed or
retained by the massage establishment. The roster shall include the name,
residence address, and phone number of each individual. The roster shall be
available for inspection by city officials charged with the enforcement of this
chapter.
(b)Physical Facility and Building and Fire Code Requirements. Except as otherwise
specifically provided in this chapter, the following physical facility and building code
requirements shall be applicable to all massage establishments located within the city:
(1)Main entry door and reception and waiting area required. One or more main
entry door shall be provided for patron entry to the massage establishment,
which shall open to an interior patron reception and waiting area immediately.
All patrons and any persons other than individuals employed or retained by the
massage establishment shall be required to enter and exit through the main
entry door(s). Unless the massage establishment is a sole proprietorship or a
home occupation with one or no other employees, the main entry door shall be
unlocked at all times during business hours.
(2)No massage establishment located in a building or structure with exterior
windows fronting a public street, highway, walkway, or parking area shall block
visibility into the interior reception and waiting area through the use of curtains,
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closed blinds, tints, or any other material that obstructs, blurs, or unreasonably
darkens the view into the premises.
(3)All interior doors, including massage therapy rooms or cubicles (but excluding
individual dressing rooms, showers, and toilet rooms, storage/equipment rooms,
offices for staff only, and rooms for hot tubs at massage establishments that are
also a hot tub/sauna establishment in compliance with PAMC Chapter 4.56) shall
be incapable of being locked and shall not be blocked to prevent opening. Draw
drapes, curtain enclosures, or accordion-pleated closures in lieu of doors are
acceptable on all inner massage therapy rooms or cubicles.
(4)Minimum lighting equivalent to at least one forty-watt light shall be provided in
each massage therapy room or cubicle.
(5)A massage table or professional massage chair specifically designed for seated
massage shall be used for all massage therapy, with the exception of "Thai,"
"Shiatsu," and similar forms of massage therapy, which may be provided on a
padded mat on the floor, provided the patron is fully attired in loose clothing,
pajamas, scrubs, or similar style of garment. Massage tables shall have a
minimum height of eighteen inches.
(6)Beds, floor mattresses, and waterbeds are not permitted on the premises of the
massage establishment, and no massage establishment shall be used for
residential or sleeping purposes, which may be shown by circumstantial
evidence such as the presence of bedding, pillows, sleeping bags, suitcases,
clothing, toiletries or other personal belongings, cooking appliances, utensils or
food in excess of a business establishment's normal requirements. A massage
establishment that is also a hot tub/sauna establishment in compliance with
PAMC Chapter 4.56 may have beds or floor mattresses only in rooms used for
hot tubs and shall not be used for massage or residential purposes.
(7)All locker facilities that are provided for the use of patrons shall be fully secured
for the protection of the patrons' valuables, and each patron shall be given
control of the key or other means of access.
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(8)The massage establishment shall comply with all applicable state and local
building and fire codes as adopted in Title 16 of this code.
(9)Any signage referring to the massage establishment located on or adjacent to
the building housing the massage establishment must match the business name
that is listed on the massage establishment permit. A massage establishment
shall not have signage that refers to another business name.
(c)Health and Safety Requirements. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this
chapter, the following health and safety requirements shall be applicable to all massage
establishments located within the city:
(1)The massage establishment shall at all times be equipped with an adequate
supply of clean sanitary towels, coverings, and linens. Massage table or chair
shall be covered with a fresh, clean sheet or other clean covering appropriate to
the equipment for each patron, just before the client arrives. After a towel,
covering, or linen has been used once, it shall be deposited in a closed receptacle
and not used again until properly laundered and sanitized. Towels, coverings,
and linens shall be laundered either by regular commercial laundering, or by a
noncommercial laundering process that includes immersion in water at least one
hundred forty degrees Fahrenheit for not less than fifteen minutes during the
washing or rinsing operation. Clean towels, coverings, and linens shall be stored
in closed, clean cabinets when not in use. A certified massage professional
engaged in the practice of mobile massage shall carry a sufficient quantity of
clean and sanitary towels, sheets, and linens to comply with the requirements.
(2)All massage therapy rooms or cubicles, wet and dry heat rooms, toilet rooms,
shower compartments, hot tubs, and pools shall be thoroughly cleaned and
disinfected as needed, and at least once each business day when the premises
has been or will be open and such facilities in use. All bathtubs shall be
thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after each use.
(3)All liquids, creams, or other preparations used on or made available to patrons
shall be kept in clean and closed containers. Powders may be kept in clean
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shakers. All bottles and containers shall be distinctly and correctly labeled to
disclose their contents. When only a portion of a liquid, cream, or other
preparation is to be used on or made available to a patron, it shall be removed
from the container in such a way as not to contaminate the remaining portion.
(4)No invasive procedures shall be performed on any patron. Invasive procedures
include, but are not limited to:
(A)Application of electricity that contracts the muscle;
(B)Penetration of the skin by metal needles;
(C)Abrasion of the skin below the nonliving, epidermal layers;
(D)Removal of skin by means of any razor-edged instrument or other device
or tool;
(E)Use of any needle-like instrument for the purpose of extracting skin
blemishes; and
(F)Other similar procedures.
(5)All bathrobes, bathing suits, and/or other garments that are provided for the use
of patrons shall be either fully disposable and not used by more than one patron,
or shall be laundered after each use pursuant to subsection (c)(1) of this section.
(6)All combs, brushes, and/or other personal items of grooming or hygiene that are
provided for the use of patrons shall be either fully disposable and not used by
more than one patron, or shall be fully disinfected after each use.
(7)All massage establishments must provide patrons with slip-resistant sandals or
flip-flops to wear while in the shower compartment. All footwear such as sandals
or flip-flops that are provided for the use of patrons either shall be fully
disposable and not used by more than one patron, or shall be fully disinfected
after each use.
(8)Patrons' genitals and female patrons' breasts must be fully draped at all times
while any individual employed or retained by the massage establishment is in
the massage room or cubicle with the patron. No massage shall be provided to a
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patron that results in intentional contact, or occasional and repetitive contact,
with the genitals or anal region of a patron.
(9)No alcoholic beverages shall be sold, served, or furnished to any patron; nor shall
any alcoholic beverages be kept or possessed on the premises of a massage
establishment. A massage establishment that is also a hot tub/sauna
establishment in compliance with PAMC Ch. 4.56 is not subject to this limitation
for non-massage areas of the establishment, but must adhere to all other
applicable laws, including any applicable zoning code provisions and California
Department of Alcohol Beverage Control requirements.
(d)Attire and Physical Hygiene Requirements. The following attire and physical hygiene
requirements shall be applicable to all employees and any other persons who work
permanently or temporarily on the premises of a massage establishment within the city,
including, but not limited to, all persons who are employed or retained to practice massage for
the massage establishment:
(1)No person shall dress in:
(A)Attire that is transparent, see-through, or substantially exposes the
person's undergarments;
(B)Swim attire, unless providing a water-based massage modality approved
by the CAMTC;
(C)A manner that exposes the person's chest, breasts, buttocks, or genitals;
(2)No massage establishment operator, employee, or visitor shall, while on the
premises of a massage establishment or while performing any mobile massage
service, and while in the presence of any patron, customer, employee or visitor,
expose his or her chest, breast, buttocks, or genitals.
(3)All persons shall thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water or any equally
effective cleansing agent immediately before providing massage to a patron. No
massage shall be provided upon a surface of the skin or scalp of a patron where
such skin is inflamed, broken (e.g., abraded or cut), or where a skin infection or
eruption is present.
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(e)Display of Permit and Certifications.
(1)The massage establishment permit shall be displayed in an open and
conspicuous place on the premises visible from the main entry door and/or
reception and waiting area of the massage establishment.
(2)Each person employed or retained by a massage establishment to perform
massage in or on the premises or through a mobile massage service shall display
on his or her person the valid current photograph-bearing identification card
issued to that employee by the CAMTC. A copy of each such identification card
and the person's original CAMTC certificate shall also be displayed in an open
and conspicuous place visible from the main entry door and/or reception and
waiting area of the massage establishment. The home address of any employee
need not be displayed. If a massage establishment has more than 25 massage
therapists and can demonstrate to the Department it is not reasonably practical
to display a copy of each identification card and original CAMTC certificate as
required above, then the massage establishment may request from the
Department an alternative method of displaying copies of identification cards
and CAMTC certificates. Such alternatives may only be approved in writing and
shall comply with any applicable state law requirements.
(f)Display of Human Trafficking Notices. The massage establishment shall comply with the
requirements in California Civil Code Section 52.6 related to the posting of information for
victims of human trafficking.
(g)Home Occupation and Mobile-Only Businesses—Exemptions.
(1)Where a certified massage establishment is a home occupation, and the
operator has complied with the provisions of Section 18.42.010 of this code
pertaining to home occupations, the provisions of subsections (a)(2), (b)(1)—(3),
and (b)(6) of this section shall not apply, and the portions of the residence
subject to the requirements of subsections (b) and (c) of this section shall be only
those portions that are used at any time by the patron of the massage
establishment.
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(2)For massage establishments that provide mobile-only services and have no fixed
location for performing massage, provisions of this section related to businesses
with fixed locations shall not apply. Specifically, the provisions of subsections
(a)(2)—(9), (b)(1)—(4), (b)(6)—(8), (c)(2) and (7), (e)(1), and (f) of this section
shall not apply to mobile-only establishments.
4.54.150 Massage establishment inspections.
(a)As a condition of the massage establishment permit, investigating officials of the
Department shall have the right to enter any massage establishment, other than an
establishment providing mobile only services, during regular business hours, to make
reasonable inspection to ascertain whether there is compliance with the provisions of
this chapter. For home occupations, reasonable inspection shall be limited to the
portions of the residence open to patrons.
(b)The massage establishment operator shall take immediate action to correct each
violation noted by the inspector. A reinspection will be performed to ensure that each
violation noted by the inspector has been corrected.
4.54.160 Reserved.
4.54.170 Revocation or suspension.
All massage establishment operators shall be deemed to know and understand the requirements
and prohibitions of this chapter. Any massage establishment permit issued pursuant to this
chapter may be suspended or revoked by the Department after a hearing, where the Department
finds that any of the following have occurred on even a single occasion:
(a)The permittee or any person employed or retained by the massage establishment has
violated any provision of this chapter.
(b)The permittee or any person employed or retained by the massage establishment has
been convicted in a court of competent jurisdiction of having violated, or has engaged in
conduct constituting a violation of, any of the following: California Penal Code Sections
266, 266a, 266e, 266f, 266g, 266h, 266i, 266j, 315, 316, 318, 647(b), or conspiracy or
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attempt to commit any such offense, or any offense in a jurisdiction outside of the State
of California that is the equivalent of any of the aforesaid offenses.
(c)The permittee or any person employed or retained by the massage establishment is
required to register under Section 290 of the California Penal Code.
(d)The permittee has been subject to a permanent injunction against the conducting or
maintaining of a nuisance pursuant to this code, or Sections 11225 through 11235 of the
California Penal Code, or any similar provision of law in any jurisdiction outside the
State of California.
(e)The permittee or any person employed or retained by the massage establishment has
engaged in fraud or misrepresentation or has knowingly made a misstatement of
material fact while working in or for the massage establishment as it pertains to the
massage establishment.
(f)The permittee has continued to operate the massage establishment after the massage
establishment permit has been suspended.
(g)Massage has been performed on the premises of the massage establishment, with or
without the permittee's actual knowledge, by any person who is not a duly authorized
CAMTC-certified massage professional.
(h)A person who is not a duly authorized CAMTC-certified massage professional has
provided mobile massage services through or on behalf of the massage establishment.
(i)There have been one or more acts prohibited under California Penal Code Sections 266,
266a, 266e, 266f, 266g, 266h, 266i, 266j, 315, 316, 318, or 647(b), taking place on the
premises of the massage establishment, whether or not any criminal prosecution has
been pursued or conviction obtained for such acts, and whether or not they occurred
with or without the actual knowledge of the permittee.
(j)The permittee or any person employed or retained by the massage establishment or any
other person on the premises of the massage establishment has engaged in conduct or
committed acts that a reasonable person in the patron's position would understand as
an offer to perform on or engage in with the patron acts that are sexual in nature or that
involve touching of the patron's genitals, or anal region.
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(k)The permittee or any person employed or retained by the massage establishment has
engaged in sexually suggestive advertising related to massage services available at the
massage establishment, including, but not limited to displaying photographs of
individuals clothed in swim attire, or attire that is transparent, see-through or
substantially exposes the individual's undergarments, breasts, buttocks, or genitals,
describing massage services as "erotic," "sensual" or similarly sexual in nature, listing
advertisements in any media (including online) intended for adults only, or describing
the appearance or age of massage providers.
(l)If the applicant has failed to comply with a final court order or administrative action of
an investigatory agency finding a violation of applicable federal, state and local wage
and hour laws, including, but not limited to, the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, the
California Labor Code, and any local minimum wage ordinance or prevailing wage
requirements. For purposes of this subsection, a final court order or administrative
action is one as to which there is no pending appeal and the time for filing an appeal has
passed. In addition, any disciplinary action taken by CAMTC shall be considered in
determining grounds for revocation, suspension or nonrenewal.
4.54.180 Hearing for revocation or suspension.
(a)The Department shall give written notice of a hearing for the revocation or suspension
of any permit granted pursuant to this chapter to the permittee. The notice shall set
forth the time and place of the hearing, the ground or grounds upon which the hearing
is based, the pertinent code sections, and a brief statement of the factual issues in
support thereof. The notice shall be mailed, postage prepaid, addressed to the
permittee at the last known address of the permittee, or it shall be delivered to the
permittee personally, at least ten days prior to the hearing date.
(b)Within ten days of the hearing the Department shall render its decision in writing,
stating its findings and the action taken, if any. The decision letter shall be mailed,
postage prepaid, addressed to the permittee at the last known address of the
permittee, or it shall be delivered to the permittee personally.
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(c)Within ten days from the deposit of the decision letter in the mail or its receipt by the
permittee, whichever occurs first, the permittee may appeal the decision in writing to
the city manager or designee, setting forth with particularity the ground or grounds for
the appeal.
(d)The hearing officer shall give written notice of the hearing on the appeal not less than
ten days from the date the appeal was received by the city. The hearing shall be
conducted in accordance with Section 4.54.190.
(e)After the hearing on the appeal, the hearing officer or designee may refer the matter
back to the Department for a new investigation and decision, may affirm the decision of
the Department, may dismiss the disciplinary action, or may revoke or suspend the
permit. The decision of the hearing officer upon such appeal shall be final and shall be
subject to judicial review according to the provisions and time limits set forth in Code of
Civil Procedure Section 1094.6.
(f)The notices provided to the massage establishment pursuant to this section may also be
sent to the owner of the premises where the massage establishment is located.
However, failure to provide notice to the property owner shall not invalidate any actions
taken by the city.
4.54.190 Hearing rules.
The following rules shall apply to any hearing required by this chapter. All parties involved shall
have the right to offer testimonial, documentary, and tangible evidence bearing on the issues, to
be represented by counsel, and to confront and cross-examine witnesses. Any relevant evidence
may be admitted if it is the sort of evidence upon which reasonable persons are accustomed to
rely in the conduct of serious affairs. Any hearing under this chapter may be continued for a
reasonable time for the convenience of a party or witness.
4.54.200 Violations a public nuisance—Penalties, nuisance abatement, and other remedies.
Any massage establishment operated, conducted, or maintained contrary to the provisions of
this chapter shall be, and the same is hereby declared to be, unlawful and a public nuisance, and
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the city attorney may, in addition to or in lieu of prosecuting a criminal action hereunder,
commence an action or actions, proceeding or proceedings, for the abatement, removal and
enjoinment thereof, in the manner provided by law. Such remedies shall be in addition to any
other judicial and administrative penalties and remedies available to the city under this code or
under state law.
(a)For the purpose of enforcing the requirements of this chapter, all owners and operators
of the massage establishment shall be jointly and severally responsible for the conduct
of all massage establishment employees, agents, independent contractors, or other
representatives while such persons are on the premises of the massage establishment
or providing mobile massage services on behalf of the massage establishment.
(b)In addition to any other remedy available to the city under applicable law, a massage
establishment permit may be suspended or revoked as provided in
Sections 4.54.170 and 4.54.180. Upon issuance of a final order by the Department or
Hearing Officer to revoke the massage permit, the massage establishment shall
immediately cease operation, and, if so ordered by the hearing officer, no other
massage establishment shall be permitted to operate at that location by any person for
a period of not less than five years ("the moratorium period"). If the operator is not also
the legal owner of the real property on which the massage establishment is situated,
notice of such revocation and the five-year prohibition shall be provided by the permit
authority to the owner of record of the property as shown on the latest county
assessment roll.
(c) In addition to any other remedy available to the city under applicable law, a massage
establishment permit may not be renewed or amended unless and until all due and
unpaid citations issued pursuant to this chapter are paid in full, and all outstanding
violations have been corrected.
(d)Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, where a Notice of Revocation or
Suspension has been issued to the operator of a massage establishment pursuant to
Section 4.54.180 of this chapter, the Department shall not process or grant an
application for a massage establishment permit for a new massage establishment at the
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same premises unless and until such Notice of Revocation or Suspension is dismissed; or
a final determination is made pursuant to that section that the current operator's
massage establishment permit is not or should not be revoked; or any moratorium
period imposed pursuant to this chapter has expired.
4.54.200 Administrative Citations and Penalties
(a)Violations. Upon a finding by the City that a business has violated any provision of this
chapter, the City may issue an administrative citation and/or compliance order resulting
in administrative fines pursuant to PAMC Chapters 1.12 and 1.16.
(b)Separate Violations. Each violation of any provision of this chapter shall constitute a
separate violation. Each client to whom massage is provided or offered in violation of this
chapter shall also constitute a separate violation. Each day upon which a massage
business remains open for business in violation of this chapter shall also constitute a
separate violation.
(c)Outstanding Fines. All outstanding penalties resulting from administrative citations
and/or compliance orders must be paid prior to the issuance or renewal of any
registration.
(d)Appeals. Appeals of administrative citations and compliance orders may be made
pursuant to the appeal procedures in PAMC Chapters 1.12 and 1.16, respectively.
SECTION 3. Chapter 4.56 (Hot Tub/Sauna Establishments) of the Palo Alto
Municipal Code is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
4.56.010 Purpose and intent.
It is the purpose and intent of this chapter to provide for the orderly regulation of hot
tub/sauna establishments and hot tub/sauna establishment employees, as defined in this
chapter in the interests of the public health, safety and welfare by providing certain minimum
building, sanitation and health standards for hot tub/sauna establishments and by providing
certain minimum standards and regulations regarding the conduct and activities of the owners
and employees of hot tub/sauna establishments.Reserved.
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4.56.020 Definitions.
For the purpose of this chapter, unless the context clearly requires a different meaning, the
words, terms, and phrases set forth in this section shall have the meanings given them in this
section:
(a) "Hot tub/sauna establishment" means any establishment having a fixed place of business
where any person, as defined in this section, for compensation, engages in, conducts, carries on
or permits to be engaged in, conducted or carried on any of the following as the principal
functions; provided, that any establishment wherein any employee provides any services
defined as massage or adult entertainment by Sections 4.54.020 or 4.55.020 shall be licensed
pursuant to the provisions of Chapters 4.54 or 4.55, respectively.
(1) Where Russian, Turkish, Finnish, Swedish, hot air, vapor, electric cabinet, steam, mineral,
sweat, salt, Japanese, sauna, fomentation, alcohol or baths of any kind whatsoever are
furnished or made available; and/or
(2) Where the public has access, on a rental basis, to private rooms or suites located within
the establishment, in which are located or provided hot tubs, jacuzzis, saunas, showers, similar
and/or related facilities, or any combination thereof.
The term "hot tub/sauna establishment" does not include licensed hospitals, nursing homes,
sanitaria, or individuals holding a valid certificate to practice the healing arts under the laws of
the state of California, or individuals working under the direction of any such certificated
persons. The term "hot tub/sauna establishment" does not include any type of a privately
owned and operated health spa, gymnasium or exercise facility where the primary purpose of
the establishment is the offering of exercise or physical fitness equipment and facilities to
prospective patrons; even though such establishment may have, on its premises, facilities for
hot baths, and/or hot tubs, jacuzzis, saunas and related facilities for the incidental use of
patrons.
(b) "Hot tub/sauna establishment employee" means every owner, partner, manager,
supervisor, employee or any other person, whether paid or not, who renders personal services
of any type in the operation of a hot tub/sauna establishment.
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(c) "License" means the license to operate a hot/tub sauna establishment as required by this
chapter.
(d) "Permit" means the permit to engage in the activities of a hot tub/sauna establishment
employee as required by this chapter.
(e) "Person" means any individual, partnership, firm, association. joint venture, corporation.
or combination of individuals.
Whenever, in this chapter, the singular form of any of the terms defined in this section is
used, the same includes the plural form of such term.
4.56.030 Hot tub/sauna establishment County license required.
It is unlawful for any person to engage in, conduct or carry on, in or upon any premises within
the city the operation of a hot tub//sauna establishment without the any applicable valid
license(s) or permit(s) required by and obtained from the chief of police as required by this
chapter. A. hot tub/sauna establishment license the County of Santa Clara. shall be issued to
any person who has complied with the requirements of Sections 4.56.050 and 4.56.110, and all
applicable provisions of the code; unless grounds for denial of such license are found to exist. In
addition to those set forth in Section 4.04.140, grounds for denial shall include:
(a) The applicant made a material misstatement in the application for a license;
(b) The applicant has, within five years immediately preceding the date of the filing of the
application, been convicted in a court of competent jurisdiction of an offense involving conduct
which requires registration under California Penal Code Section 290, or any violations of
Sections 311 through 311.7, 313.1, 314, 315, 316, 318, or 647(a), 647(b), 647(d), or 647(h) of
the California Penal Code, or of any offense involving theft of property or violence;
(c) That the operation of a hot tub/sauna establishment, as proposed by the applicant, if
permitted, would not comply with all applicable laws including, but not limited to, all city
ordinances and regulations;
(d) That the operation of the proposed hot tub/sauna establishment is likely to be injurious
to the health, safety and welfare of the people of the city;
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(e) That the applicant is lacking in the background and qualifications to conduct a bona fide
hot tub/sauna establishment; or
(f) That the applicant has violated any provision of this chapter, or of any similar ordinance,
law, rule or regulation of another public agency which regulates the operation of hot tub/sauna
or related establishments.
4.56.040 Hot tub/sauna establishment license application fee.
Any application for a license to operate a hot tub/sauna establishment shall be accompanied
by a nonrefundable fee as set forth in the municipal fee schedule. The application fee shall be
used to defray, in part, the costs of investigation and report, and is not made in lieu of any
other fees or taxes required under this code. A license to operate a hot tub/sauna
establishment shall be renewed annually. The renewal fee shall be as set forth in the municipal
fee schedule.
Reserved.
4.56.050 Application for hot tub/sauna establishment license.
Any application for a license to operate a hot tub/sauna establishment shall be made with the
chief of police. Within thirty working days following receipt of a completed application, the
chief of police shall either issue the permit or mail a written statement of his reasons for denial
thereof. The application shall set forth the exact nature of the hot tub/sauna operations or
activities to be conducted, the proposed place of business and facilities therefor, and the name
and address of each applicant. In addition to the requirements of Chapter 4.04 and this section,
any applicant shall furnish the following information:
(a) The previous address of applicant, if any, for a period of three years immediately prior to
the date of the application and the dates of residence at each;
(b) Written proof that the applicant is at least eighteen years of age;
(c) Applicant's height, weight, color of eyes and hair;
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(d) The applicant shall allow the police department official processing the application to take
photographs and fingerprints of the applicant;
(e) Business, occupation or employment history of the applicant for the three years
immediately preceding the date of the application;
(f) If the applicant is a corporation, the name of the corporation shall be set forth exactly as
shown in its articles of incorporation, together with the names and residence addresses of each
of its officers, directors, and each stockholder holding more than five percent of the stock of
the corporation. If the applicant is a partnership, the application shall set forth the name and
residence address of each of the partners, including limited partners. If one or more of the
partners is a corporation, the provisions of this section pertaining to a corporate applicant shall
apply;
(g) The names and residence addresses of all persons currently employed or intended to be
employed in the hot tub/sauna establishment, regardless of the nature of the employment,
other than any person licensed pursuant to Section 4.56.060, along with the proposed or actual
nature of the work performed or to be performed, and recent passport-size photographs,
suitable to the police department official processing the application, of each such employee. All
such employees shall be requested to obtain the permit specified in Section 4.56.060. Any
applicant or licensee shall notify the city in writing of the names, addresses, and nature of the
work, of any new or proposed employees, and supply the photographs described in this
subsection upon determining to employ such person. No such person shall commence such
employment until a permit has been obtained as specified in Section 4.56.060. "Employee"
means "hot tub/sauna establishment employee" as defined herein. It shall be unlawful for any
licensee to employ any hot tub/sauna establishment employee who does not possess a valid
permit provided for in Section 4.56.020. Any licensee shall notify the chief of police in writing of
the termination of employment of any employee, whether terminated by the licensee or
employee, within five days of such termination;
(h) Such other information as may be deemed necessary by the chief of police.
Reserved.
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4.56.060 Hot tub/sauna establishment employee permit required.
It is unlawful for any person to act as a hot tub/sauna establishment employee unless such
person holds a valid permit issued by the chief of police. A hot tub/sauna establishment
employee permit shall be issued to any person who has fulfilled the requirements of Section
4.56.080, and all other applicable provisions of this code; unless grounds for denial of such
permit are found to exist. In addition to those set forth in Section 4.04.140, grounds for denial
shall include:
(a) The applicant made a material misstatement in the application for the permit;
(b) The applicant, within five years immediately preceding the date of the filing of the
application, has been convicted in a court of competent jurisdiction of any offense involving
conduct which requires registration under California Penal Code Section 290, or any violation of
Sections 311 through 311.7, 313.1, 314, 315, 316, 318 or 647(a), 647(b), 647(d), or 647(h) of the
California Penal Code or of any offense involving theft of property;
(c) The issuance of the permit is likely to be injurious to the health, safety, welfare, and
interest of the people of the city;
(d) The applicant has previously violated any provision of this chapter, or of any similar
ordinance, law, rule or regulation of another public agency which regulates the operation of hot
tub/sauna establishments or hot tub/sauna establishment employees;
(e) The applicant is under eighteen years of age.
Reserved.
4.56.070 Hot tub/sauna establishment employee application fee.
Any application for a permit to act as hot tub/sauna establishment employee shall be
accompanied by a nonrefundable fee as set forth in the municipal fee schedule. A hot
tub/sauna establishment employee permit shall be renewed annually. The renewal fee shall be
as set forth in the municipal fee schedule. Any person who applies for a license to operate a hot
tub/sauna establishment and who desires to act as a hot tub/sauna establishment employee
within said establishment shall not be required to pay the fee required by the municipal fee
schedule, but shall be required to furnish the information set forth in Section 4.56.080.
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Reserved.
4.56.080 Application for hot tub/sauna establishment employee permit.
Any application for a permit to act as a hot tub/sauna establishment employee shall be made
with the chief of police. Within thirty working days following receipt of a completed application,
the chief of police shall either issue the permit, or mail a written statement of his reason for
denial thereof. The chief of police may require the applicant to allow fingerprints to be taken. In
addition to the requirements of Chapter 4.04, the applicant shall furnish the following
information:
(a) Name, residence address and telephone number;
(b) Social security number and driver's license number if any;
(c) Applicant's weight, height, color of hair and eyes;
(d) The applicant shall furnish a recent photograph of applicant to the police department
official who processes the application;
(e) Written evidence that the applicant is at least eighteen years of age;
(f) Business, occupation or employment of the applicant for the three years immediately
preceding the date of application;
(g) The name and address of the establishment where the applicant is to be employed, and
the name of the owner or operator of the same. Any hot tub/sauna establishment employee
granted a permit pursuant to this section must report any change in hot tub/sauna
establishment employment within five days of said change;
(h) Whether such person has ever been convicted of any crime mentioned in Section
4.56.060. If any person has been so convicted, a statement must be made giving the place and
court in which said conviction was had, the specific charge or charges under which the
conviction was obtained, and the sentence imposed as a result of such conviction;
(i) Such other information as may be deemed necessary by the chief of police.
Reserved.
4.56.090 Appeal.
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In the event a permit or license application has been denied, the applicant shall proceed
pursuant to the appeal and hearing provision of Chapter 4.04.
Reserved.
4.56.100 Hot tub/sauna establishment and operations requirements.
All hot tub/sauna establishments shall comply with the following facilities and operations
requirements and each of the requirements listed in this section shall be conditions of any hot
tub/sauna establishment license which is issued pursuant to the requirements of this chapter:
(a) Hot tub/sauna establishments shall comply with all applicable provisions of this code and
with all applicable health and sanitation laws, rules and regulations of the county of Santa Clara
and state of California.
(b) Toilet and lavatory facilities shall be provided for employees and patrons of a hot
tub/sauna establishment in a number and type not less than the minimum number and type
specified in the applicable code section for such type of use.
(c) A manager or other supervisory representative of the licensee shall be and remain on the
premises of the licensed hot tub/sauna establishment at all times during the operating hours of
the establishment. The licensee shall furnish the chief of police with a list of all persons
authorized by licensee to act as manager or representative of the licensee. Any change in said
list shall be reported to the chief of police immediately.
(d) All suites and rooms within hot tub/sauna establishments, for the use of patrons, shall be
provided with clean laundered sheets, towels and linens in sufficient quantities which shall be
laundered between consecutive uses thereof and stored in an approved sanitary manner. The
same sheets, towels and linens shall not be used in excess of one rental period. No sheets,
towels or linens shall be laundered or dried in any hot tub/sauna establishment unless such
establishment is provided with approved laundry facilities comparable to commercial
laundering facilities, for such laundering and drying. Approved receptacles shall be provided for
the storage of soiled sheets, linens, and towels. Heavy white paper may be substituted for
sheets; provided that such paper is used once for each person and then discarded into a
sanitary receptacle.
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(e) All walls, ceilings, floors, pools, showers, bathtubs, hot tubs, jacuzzis, saunas, steam
rooms, and all other physical facilities within the establishment must be in good repair and
maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. Wet and dry heat rooms, steam or vapor rooms,
or steam or vapor cabinets, shower compartments, bathrooms, toilet rooms, saunas, jacuzzis,
hot tubs, and individual suites shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected each day the
business is in operation. Bathtubs (not including hot tubs) shall be cleaned and thoroughly
disinfected after each use. Not more than one hot tub or similar water-holding device shall be
operated from the same heating or filtering device or any similar mechanism unless each such
hot tub or other similar device is capable of being emptied and refilled independent of any
other hot tub.
(f) The walls in all rooms where water or steam baths are given shall have a washable, mold-
resistant surface.
(g) All lavatories or wash basins shall be provided with hot and cold running water, soap and
single-service towels in wall-mounted dispensers.
(h) Cabinets or other covered space shall be provided for the storage of clean linen.
(i) To protect patrons from potential health and sanitary hazards, all hot tub/sauna
establishment employees shall be clean and shall perform all services on the premises in full,
clean outer garments.
(j) Security deposit facilities capable of being locked by the patron or a waterproof security
bag that may be carried by the patron shall be available for the protection of the valuables of
the patron.
(k) Each service or facility offered, the price thereof, and the minimum length of time such
service shall be performed shall be posted in a conspicuous public location within the hot
tub/sauna establishment. If the hot tub/sauna establishment contains within it one or more
individual rooms or suites, the hourly rental rate for such individual rooms or suites shall also
be posted in a conspicuous public location, along with the minimum and maximum periods of
time such individual rooms or suites can be rented. All letters and numbers shall be capitals,
and not less than one-half inch in height.
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(l) No mirrors of any type shall be placed at any location within or inside the hot tub/sauna
establishment unless the approval of the chief of police has first been obtained; provided,
however, that if the hot tub/sauna establishment is comprised of one or more individual rooms
or suites, a small mirror, not more than three square feet in size, may be placed on the interior
of such room or suite on the door leading from such individual room or suite into any interior
hallway within such establishment, or such other comparable location not visible from the
exterior of such individual room or suite when the door thereto is open as may be approved by
the chief of police.
(m) If the hot tub/sauna establishment is comprised of one or more individual rooms or
suites which are rented to patrons, the interior of any such individual room or suite shall not be
visible from any point outside the room or suite when the door leading from such individual
room or suite into any interior hallway is closed.
(n) No alcoholic beverages of any type shall be permitted to be brought into or consumed
within or upon the premises or property of any hot tub/sauna establishment.
(o) No nudity shall be permitted or allowed to occur in any interior hallways of the
establishment, or in any other open patron area or areas located within the hot tub/sauna
establishment. Nudity shall only be permitted or allowed within the confines of an individual
room or suite located within the establishment and then only by the patrons who have rented
such room or suite.
(p) No individual under the age of eighteen years shall be allowed to enter into or to remain
upon or within the premises of any hot tub/sauna establishment unless such individual is
accompanied by his or her parent or guardian.
(q) All hot tub/sauna establishment employees, while on duty:
(1) Shall remain fully clothed at all times;
(2) Shall not remain inside any of the individual rooms or suites with any patrons of the
establishment while the doors leading to the hallways from such rooms or suites are closed.
Said doors shall remain closed at all times during which the individual room or suite is occupied
and utilized by any patron;
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(3) Shall not perform, for compensation or otherwise, any type of personal services for the
patrons of the establishment, which personal services consist of the touching of any part of the
body of a patron with any part of the employee's body, or any implement utilized by an
employee.
(r) (1) Hot tub/sauna establishments shall close and remain closed from eleven p.m. to nine
a.m.
(2) After one year of operation, a hot tub/sauna establishment may be exempted from the
hours restrictions of this section by the chief of police upon a written request which details the
factual reasons supporting good cause for the exemption. The chief of police, in determining
what constitutes good cause for this exemption from the hours restrictions, shall consider and
weight the following factors:
(A) The criteria outlined in Section 4.04.140 of Chapter 4.04;
(B) The criteria outlined in Section 4.56.030 of this chapter;
(C) The impact which the hot tub/sauna establishment has had on the health, safety, and
welfare of the local community, including, but not limited to, parking and traffic congestion;
(D) The hot tub/sauna establishment's compliance or noncompliance with all federal, state,
and local laws, including, but not limited to, this municipal code.
If, upon review of these factors, the chief of police determines that good cause does exist for
the requested exemption, the chief may then exempt the particular hot tub/sauna
establishment from the hours restrictions of this section. However, in no event shall any hot
tub/sauna establishment close later than two a.m. nor open earlier than six a.m.
(3) The exemption from the hours restrictions of this section shall be subject to review and
renewal annually at the same time as the renewal of the underlying license and the same
factual showing shall be made as that required for the initial exemption. The chief shall not
grant an hours exemption unless said establishment has maintained the criteria specified in
Section 4.56.100(r)(2).
(s) No hot tub/sauna establishment shall be allowed in the following locations:
(1) Within two hundred fifty feet of the exterior property limits of any public or private
elementary school, junior high school or high school;
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(2) Within two hundred fifty feet of the exterior limits of any district where residential use is
the principal permitted use, including all R and RM districts, O-S districts, and any P-C or P-F
districts where the principal use permitted or maintained is residential; or
(3) Within twelve hundred feet of the exterior property limits of any other premises lawfully
occupied by a hot tub/sauna establishment or by any establishment subject to the provisions of
Chapters 4.54 or 4.55, or any cardroom licensed pursuant to Chapter 4.52. Notwithstanding the
provisions of this subdivision, subject to all other provisions of this chapter, a hot tub/sauna
establishment license may be issued for an establishment located within twelve hundred feet of
another hot tub/sauna establishment, an establishment subject to the provisions of Chapters
4.54 or 4.55, or any cardroom licensed pursuant to Chapter 4.52 if the applicant has obtained,
and has in effect, a valid conditional use permit pursuant to Chapter 18.76 (Permits and
Approvals). Application for a license under this chapter shall be made and processed prior to an
application for a use permit. In the event it is determined that a license under this chapter
would be issued for the provisions of this subdivision, the application for a use permit shall then
be processed. A license under this chapter shall not be issued until completion of the use
permit application process. In the case of such an application, the time limit for action on a hot
tub/sauna establishment license application contained in Section 4.56.050 shall be
automatically extended as necessary to follow processing of the use permit application. For the
purpose of determining compliance with standard (3), as to, between and with respect to
establishments lawfully in operation on the effective date of this section, priority between such
existing establishments shall be assigned in accordance with the dates upon which said
establishments commenced such lawful operatio ns. In the event any dispute arises regarding
said dates, the applicant shall have the obligation to establish the date on which he
commenced lawful operation.
Any hot tub/sauna establishment lawfully in operation on the effective date of this section
shall, within sixty days of said date apply to the chief of police for a determination as to
compliance with the provisions of this section. Said application shall be in such form as
prescribed by the chief of police.
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Any hot tub/sauna establishment legally existing on the effective date of this subsection and
which is not in compliance with the provisions of this subsection shall comply with said
provisions within three years of the effective date of this subsection; provided, however, that
any such establishment which intends to in any way transfer ownership or alter or change the
nature of any such hot tub/sauna establishment on or after the effective date of this subsection
shall comply with the provisions of this subsection prior to such transfer, alteration or change.
Any such use which at the expiration of said period is not in compliance with the provisions of
this subsection shall at that time discontinue and abate its operation.
Any hot tub/sauna establishment lawfully in operation upon the effective date of this
subsection failing to comply with the provisions of this subsection shall be issued a limited-term
license containing a statement on its face reciting such noncompliance and the date by which
compliance must be accomplished, and that said license shall not be renewed beyond said date.
All distances referred to in this subsection shall be measured between the closest points on
the exterior property lines or area boundaries of the parcels or areas involved, except that
when a hot tub/sauna establishment subject to the provisions of this section occupies one unit
of a multi-unit structure located on a single parcel, distances shall be measured from the
exterior boundaries of the unit so occupied.
Reserved.
4.56.110 Inspection by officials.
Any and all investigating officials of the city shall have the right to enter hot tub/sauna
establishments from time to time during regular business hours to make reasonable inspections
to observe and enforce compliance with building, fire, electrical, plumbing or other health
safety regulations. A warrant shall be obtained whenever required by law.
4.56.120 Business name.
No person licensed to operate a hot tub/sauna establishment shall operate under any name
or conduct business under any designation not specified in the a County license(s).
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4.56.130 Business location change.
Upon a change of location of a hot tub/sauna establishment, an application to the chief of
police shall be made in the same form as an original application, and such application shall be
granted, provided all applicable provisions of this code are complied with as in the case of an
original application, and a change of location fee as set forth in the municipal fee schedule to
defray, in part, the costs of investigation and report has been paid to the city.
Reserved.
4.56.140 Sale or transfer of hot tub/sauna establishment interest.
A sale or transfer of any interest in a hot tub/sauna establishment, which interest would be
reported as required in this chapter upon application for a hot tub/sauna establishment license,
shall be reported to the chief of police within ten days of such sale or transfer. The chief of
police shall investigate any person receiving any interest in a hot tub/sauna establishment as a
result of such sale or transfer, and if such person satisfies the requirements relating to hot
tub/sauna establishment license applicants, the existing license shall be endorsed to include
such person. A fee as set forth in the municipal fee schedule shall be paid to the city for the
investigation by the chief of police necessitated by each such sale or transfer.
Reserved.
4.56.150 Display of permits, licenses.
The owner or operator of a hot tub/sauna establishment shall display the hot tub/sauna
establishment license and the permit of each and every hot tub/sauna establishment employee
employed in the establishment in an open and conspicuous place on the premises. Passport-
size photographs of the licensee and permittees shall be affixed to the respective license and
permits on display pursuant to this section. Home addresses of hot tub/sauna establishment
employees need not be displayed.
Reserved.
4.56.160 Grounds for denial, probation, and disciplinary action.
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In addition to any provisions contained in this chapter, the provisions of Section 4.04.140 shall
apply to licenses and permits required under this chapter. Any circumstances constituting
grounds for denial shall also constitute grounds for revocation, suspension or disciplinary
action.
Reserved.
4.56.170 Hearing.
Any licensee or permittee whose license or permit has been suspended or revoked shall
proceed pursuant to the appeal and hearing provisions of Chapter 4.04.
Reserved.
4.56.180 Application to existing establishments and employees.
All operators of existing hot tub/sauna establishments, and all hot tub/sauna establishment
employees in the city upon the effective date of this chapter shall comply with all application
and other requirements within thirty days following the effective date of this chapter.
Reserved.
4.56.190 Application of other code provisions.
Chapter 4.04 shall apply to the subject matter of this chapter in all respects, including those
not specifically mentioned in this chapter.
Reserved.
4.56.200 Employment of persons under the age of eighteen years prohibited.
No licensee shall employ, hire or retain the services of any individual who is under the age of
eighteen years old. No licensee shall knowingly employ, hire or retain the services of, or
continue to employ or retain, any individual who has been convicted of any of the offenses set
forth in subsection (b) of Section 4.56.060, or who has failed to obtain the permit required by
Section 4.56.060.
Reserved.
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SECTION 4. If any section, subsection, clause or phrase of this Ordinance is for any
reason held to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion or
sections of the Ordinance. The Council hereby declares that it should have adopted the
Ordinance and each section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase thereof irrespective of the
fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared
invalid.
SECTION 5. The Council finds that this project is exempt from the provisions of the
California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), pursuant to Section 15061 of the CEQA
Guidelines, because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the ordinance
will have a significant effect on the environment.
SECTION 6. This ordinance shall be effective 31 days after adoption.
____________________________
Mayor
APPROVED:
____________________________
INTRODUCED: JANUARY 12, 2026
PASSED: FEBRUARY 2, 2026
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
___________________________
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
___________________________
Assistant City Attorney
149_20251222_ts24
City Manager
____________________________
Chief of Police
BURT, LAUING, LU, LYTHCOTT-HAIMS, RECKDAHL, STONE, VEENKER
Docusign Envelope ID: F48DFEF2-514C-438B-BB72-D574E2585F4F
Certificate Of Completion
Envelope Id: F48DFEF2-514C-438B-BB72-D574E2585F4F Status: Completed
Subject: ORD 5693 - Amending PAMC Chapters re. Massage and Hot Tub/Sauna Establishments
Source Envelope:
Document Pages: 43 Signatures: 5 Envelope Originator:
Certificate Pages: 2 Initials: 0 Christine Prior
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250 Hamilton Ave
Palo Alto , CA 94301
Christine.Prior@PaloAlto.gov
IP Address: 165.225.242.103
Record Tracking
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2/3/2026 7:00:32 PM
Holder: Christine Prior
Christine.Prior@PaloAlto.gov
Location: DocuSign
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Tim Shimizu
Tim.Shimizu@paloalto.gov
Assist. City Attorney
City of Palo Alto
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James Reifschneider
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Acting Chief of Police
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Ed Shikada
Ed.Shikada@paloalto.gov
City Manager
City of Palo Alto
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Vicki Veenker
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Mahealani Ah Yun
Mahealani.AhYun@paloalto.gov
City Clerk
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